Legislation Update

Bill that would limit collective bargaining posted in Senate. Tell you Senator to vote NO!

In March, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee released S-979 from committee. This bill, sponsored by Senators Loretta Weinberg (D-37) and Tom Kean, Jr. (R-21), infringes upon public employees’ right to collectively bargain.

The bill, as amended in committee, caps the amount eligible employees can receive for waiving benefits if they choose to be covered under their spouse’s benefits outside of a state plan. In addition, it would eliminate coordination of benefits for married public employees whose coverage is outside the state plans. Those affected would either have to select coverage together under one plan, or each have their own.

NJEA OPPOSES THIS BILL because it interferes with the collective bargaining process!

S-979 is scheduled for a floor vote by the Senate this Thursday, Oct. 20. Write to your Senator and ask him or her to vote NO on S-979.

Christie’s rambling attack shows NJEA is effective

Resorts to name calling to cover up for his failures

Published on Tuesday, September 6, 2016

NJEA president Wendell Steinhauer released this statement following Gov. Christie’s rambling press conference this morning in which the governor continued to duck responsibility for his educational failures and unwillingness to do his job.

“Chris Christie can’t help himself. His reflexive attacks on public schools are just the same political posturing that he’s used for nearly seven years to cover up for his failed policies and underfunding of New Jersey’s public schools.

“His attempt to pit urban communities against suburban communities is politics in its lowest form. His school funding scheme is nothing but a ploy to force students in urban districts to subsidize tax cuts for suburban homeowners, while crippling urban schools. Among the bad things he’s proposed, that scheme stands out for its heartless cruelty. That’s why NJEA will never stop standing up for every student in every public school. We refuse to allow children to be used as his political pawns.

“Chris Christie’s obsessive focus on NJEA shows that we are making a difference. We are proud that our advocacy is so threatening to Chris Christie. Every time he resorts to name calling and fact-free attacks, it just reaffirms our commitment to pursue our vision for great public schools for every child in New Jersey.

“The truth is that New Jersey’s public schools, with their workforce of dedicated, unionized professionals, are among the very best in America. Despite Christie’s constant attacks, our members have never backed down from their commitment to excellence, because that’s what our students deserve. His fear of unions simply isn’t backed up by fact or experience.

“Chris Christie also continues to mislead the people of New Jersey about his ongoing manipulation of the School Employees’ Health Benefits Commission. He refuses to appoint a labor member to fill a vacancy that has existed for over a year, and he’s attempting to use the resulting imbalance to force through a change without appropriate review. His refusal to do his job is inexcusable. We look forward to making our case in court tomorrow.”

NJEA PAC announces 2016 Congressional endorsements

Published on Saturday, August 6, 2016

The New Jersey Education Association’s 125-member political action committee has voted to recommend to the National Education Association’s (NEA) Fund for Children and Public Education the endorsements of 11 candidates for election to the U.S. Congress, including three Republicans and eight Democrats. The endorsements in congressional districts three, four, five, and seven join those that had previously been approved in April.

“Secretary Clinton has a proven track record of leadership on education,” said NJEA President Wendell Steinhauer. “We are at a critical moment for public education and the choice could not be more clear: we need Hillary Clinton to ensure that the future of public education in this country is focused on the needs of our students and not on the needs of corporate profiteers.”

Finally, NJEA PAC voted to initiate screening candidates for endorsement in the 2017 gubernatorial and legislative primary elections. Screening of candidates does not indicate that an endorsement in the primary will definitely be made.

“NJEA members and their families are committed to supporting candidates who recognize the national benefits of a quality system of public education and who respect and support the work of public school employees,” said NJEA President Wendell Steinhauer. “We are proud to endorse these candidates on the basis of their commitment to public education and New Jersey families.”

NJEA PAC votes on the recommendations of local interview teams of members from each congressional district.